Detachable table top



Jan. 16, 1962 J. E. MALLETT 3,017,219

DETACHABLE TABLE TOP Filed Oct. 18. 1960 "W1" 0 a INVENTOR- 12 1mm; I J JOHN E. MALLETT 12 15/ BY ATTORN Unite States atent 3,017,219 DETACHABLE TABLE TOP John E. Mallett, 1609 SW. 8th St., Miami, Fla. Filed Oct. 18, 1960, Ser. No. 63,293 6 Claims. (Cl. 297-135) This invention relates to tables, and more particularly to a type of table adapted to be fitted upon and supported by the arms of a pair of tubular frame arm chairs.

It is an object of the invention to provide a table of the kind above mentioned which can be easily fitted upon a pair of spaced chairs, without the use of fastening elements or tools. 'It is an object of the invention to provide a table which can be instantly put in operative position on the chairs and which can be readily removed therefrom when not required for use.

Tubular frame chairs, such as are used on lawns and porches, have no means by which articles, such as drinks and refreshments, books and other things, can be rested or supported adjacent to the sitter, so that the use of such chairs under certain circumstances, is unsatisfactory. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a table or tray which can be supported between the arms of two chairs of this kind and which will provide a supporting surface that can be used for writing, for holding food or beverages, for the playing of games and for many other purposes. It is an object of the invention to provide a table or tray which can be readily fitted in operative position on the chairs and easily removed therefrom; which is provided with means by which it may be leveled when supported by inclined chair aims, and which, when fitted in place, will serve to maintain the chairs in a specific spaced relationship while providing a firm and level supporting surface.

With these and other objects to be hereinafter set forth in view, I have devised the arrangement of parts to be described and more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein an illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing the table or tray attachment applied to a pair of chairs;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the table or tray taken at right angles to FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of one end portion of the table.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates the table top, which may be composed of light metal such as aluminum, of wood, plastic or of other suitable material. The opposite side edges 2 of the tray or table 1 are provided with notches or recesses 3 arranged to fit around or embrace the uprights 4 and 5 forming parts of the backs of a pair of tubular frame chairs 6 and 7. These chairs are positioned in spaced-apart side-by-side relation, with the spacing between them being of a distance that enables the uprights 4 and 5 to lit in the notches or recesses 3 as shown in FIG. 1. The spacing between the chairs is also such as to enable channel elements mounted on the bottom of the table or tray 1 to engage with the tubular arms 8 and 9 of the chairs, in a manner to be described.

Each of the channel elements above mentioned, consists of a base strip 10, secured to the bottom of the table or tray 1 by means of screws, nails, rivets or other fastening elements 11, said strip having integrally formed, downwardly-directed parallel flanges 12 forming a channel 13 between them. The channel 13 thus formed is of such a size that one of the arms 8 or 9 of the two chairs 6, 7 fits closely within it. The strips are attached to the under side of the table or tray adjacent to the opposite side edges ,2 of the same and when the channels 13 are fitted over the arms 8 and 9, and the notches 3 are fitted around the uprights 4 and 5, the two chairs will be coupled together by the table or tray and maintained in spaced relationship thereby.

The tubular arms 8 and 9 of chairs of the type shown, tend to slope downwardly toward the rear and since it is desirable to maintain the top of the table or tray level when fitted in .place on the chairs, a means is provided for securing that result. Provided on the bottom of the table or tray 1 is a plate 14 which can be formed as an extension of one of the flanges 12, and pivoted at 15 on said plate, is a rotative V-shaped turn button 16. When the turn button 16 is positioned as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4, it is inoperative, but when manually turned to the position shown in full lines in FIG. 4 it will enter between the top of thechair arm over which his positioned and the bottom of the table or tray, thus acting as a shim to elevate the rear portion of the table and bring the table to a level position. In some instances and dependent upon variation in inclination of the chair arms, a supplemental table-elevating means might be found necessary. For this purpose, a slidable plate 17 is provided at the forward end of each of the channels 13. Each of these plates is provided at 18 with an elongated slot through which a pin 19 extends, the slot permitting a limited sliding movement of the plate. At one end the plate has a tapered surface 20 adapted to slidably contact with the upper surface of the chair arm near the forward end of the arm.

When it is desired to slightly elevate the forward end of the table or tray, either supplemental to or independent of the elevation of the rear end by the turn button 16, the plates 17 are slidably moved to the required extent, their inclined surfaces 20 acting cam-like against the top of the chair arms to thereby elevate the forward end of the table or tray to bring it to a level position.

The application of the table or tray to a pair of spaced chairs is readily effected by merely fitting the arms 8 and 9 of the chairs into the two channels 13 and by fitting the two notches 3 around the uprights 4 and 5 of the chair backs. If leveling of the table or tray is required and can be attained by raising of the rear portion of the table, the turn buttons 16 are moved to cause them to extend between the chair arms and bottom of the table or tray, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Should an elevating movement of the front of the table or tray be required to level the table or tray, the plates 17 can be shifted to the extent required to raise the front part of the table. Thus, either the front or rear of the table can be elevated if and when required.

The device may be economically made of light weight materials. It is easily attached to the chairs without the use of tools or fastening elements, When fitted in place on the chairs it provides a firm, relatively large supporting surface on which refreshments can be served or games can be played with comfort and convenience. It can be speedily attached to or removed from the chairs when not required and due to its relatively flat form it is easily portable and can be stored in little space.

Having thus described a single embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broad enough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

l. A table or tray for mounting upon a pair of spaced chairs comprising, a table top, channel members secured on the under side of the table top adjacent to its opposite side edges, each of the channel members being adapted to fit over one of the tubular arms on each of a pair of chairs disposed in spaced-apart relationship, the table top having recesses in its opposite side edges 3 to fit around upright portions of the backs of the chairs, and a rotative leveling device at the rear end of each of the channel members on the bottom of the table top for positioning between the arms of the chairs and the bottom of the table top to thereby level the table top.

2. A table or tray for mounting upon a pair of spaced chairs comprising, a table top, downwardly-directed channel members secured on th under side of the table top adjacent to its opposite side edges, each of said channel members being shaped to fit over one of the tubular arms on each of a pair of spaced-apart chairs,

, the arms of the chairs being rearwardly inclined, the

table top having notches in its side edges adjacent to its rear, said notches fitting around upright portions of the chair backs, and means on the under side of the table top insertable between the arms and table top for leveling the table top.

3. A table or tray for mounting upon a pair of spaced chairs comprising, a table top, strips fastened to the under side of the table top and provided with spaced flanges defining channels located adjacent to the opposite edges of the table top, each of the channels being adapted to fit over one of the tubular arms of each of a pair of chairs disposed in speed-apart relationship, the table top having recesses in its opposite side edges and shaped to fit around tubular upright portions of the backs of the chairs, the arms of the chairs being rearwardly inclined to a point of connection with the backs of chairs, a rotative leveling device at the rear of each of the channels on the bottom of the table top for positioning between the arms of the chair and the bottom of the table top to thereby level the table top, and an additional leveling device at the forward end of each of the channels.

4. A table or tray for mounting upon a pair of spaced chairs as provided for in claim 3, wherein the additional leveling device consists of a slidable plate having an inclined cam surface for sliding contact with the top surface of a chair arm to thereby elevate the forward end of the table top.

5 A table or tray for mounting upon a pair of tubular frame arm chairs comprising, a table top having recesses in its opposite side edges adjacent to its rear for engagement with tubular uprights on the backs of a pair of spaced chairs, the top having a pair of channelled strips secured to its lower face adjacent to the recessed edges, said channelled strips being adapted to embrace an arm on each of a pair of chairs situated in spaced relationship, a rotatable button mounted on the bottom of the table top at the rear of each of the channeled strips, said button being adapted by rotative movement to be extended between the bottom of the table top and the top of one of the chair arms to thereby elevate the rear portion of the table top.

6. A table or tray for mounting upon a pair of spaced tubular frame arm chairs comprising, a table top having channels on its bottom for fitment over an arm on each of a pair of chairs in spaced relationship, and movable adjusting means on the bottom of the table top adjacent to its front and rear ends for insertion between the chair arms and the bottom of the table top to thereby elevate either or both of the front and rear ends of the table top relatively to the chair arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 506,085 Whelan Oct. 3, 1893 1,452,911 Gronsdahl Apr. 24, 1923 1,919,193 Beiger July 25, 1933 2,146,137 Goldenson Feb. 7, 1939 2,949,152 Hipps et al Aug. 16, 1960 

